Central Illinois Tornado Update, and a Kudos to Duracell (and many, many others.)

I wanted to update on this today because it's been on my mind, of course. And the developments have been remarkable.

Like I mentioned in Sunday's post, we live about 25 minutes outside of Washington, IL, a town that was hit incredibly hard by an EF-4 tornado. We also live 10-20 minutes away from other towns that were hit, and also had severe destruction.

Here are some images coming out of those towns, places that are practically our backyard. Unfortunately, for a lot of people I know personally, this was their backyard. Friends, coworkers, friends' family members...I was actually just at a baby shower about a week and a half ago in Washington. That beautiful home sustained some serious damage, but it still wasn't leveled entirely, like the homes of others I know.

This has been one of the most heart-wrenching, and still heart-breakingly beautiful, experiences I have ever had.

The charity and kindness to come out of all this is so incredibly poignant.

Seriously, this Facebook page makes me want to cry every time I read through it. There are people all over wanting to help in some way, any way, possible.

Like this story about a man being reunited with his dog.

Duracell coming to the rescue to bring power to those who need it here.

Medieval Times donating a free Thanksgiving feast to those displaced by the storms.

Proctor and Gamble offering free items at local stores.

Mom and Pop shops opening their doors and giving whatever they have to those who need it.

Countless individuals who are opening their homes to volunteers, pets that can't stay in shelters and people who need places to sleep.

And of course, swarms of people giving their time and money and supplies to help those who need it.

I have never seen anything like it up close.

I can honestly say I was not giving the general public enough credit before.

So kudos to everybody going above and beyond to help their neighbors. I can't wait to volunteer this week and really get to be a part of the recovery process.